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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 245 (Friday, December 20, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 104116-104119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30435]

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DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Applications for New Awards; Education Research and Development 
Center Program

AGENCY: Institute of Education Sciences, Department of Education.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Education (Department) is issuing a notice 
inviting applications for new awards for fiscal year (FY) 2025 for the 
Education Research and Development Center Program.

DATES: 
    Application Package Available: December 20, 2024.
    Deadline for Transmittal of Applications: March 14, 2025.

ADDRESSES: For the addresses for obtaining and submitting an 
application, please refer to our Common Instructions for Applicants to 
Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the 
Federal Register on December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045) and available at 
www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Corinne Alfeld. Email: 
[email protected]. Telephone: 202-987-0835.
    If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and 
wish to access telecommunications relay services, please dial 7-1-1.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Full Text of Announcement

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    Purpose of Program: Through the Education Research and Development 
Center Program, the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) funds 
Research and Development (R&D) centers to conduct a focused program of 
research that will contribute to solving a specific education problem 
and generate new knowledge in their topic area; provide national 
leadership, research training, capacity building, and outreach within 
their topic area; and conduct relatively rapid research and scholarship 
on supplemental questions that emerge within their topic area.
    Assistance Listing Number (ALN): 84.305C.
    OMB Control Number: 4040-0001.
    Competition: The IES National Center for Education Research (NCER) 
is announcing one competition:
    Education Research and Development Center Program (ALN 84.305C). 
Under this competition, NCER will consider only applications that 
address one of the following topics:
     Improving Gifted Education.
     Using Generative Artificial Intelligence to Improve 
Instruction in Postsecondary Education.
    Application Submission: You may submit one or more than one 
application to the IES FY 2025 Education Research and Development 
Center Program.
    If you submit the same or similar application to IES and to another 
funding entity within or external to the Department and receive funding 
for the non-IES application prior to IES scientific peer review of 
applications, you must withdraw the same or similar application 
submitted to IES, or IES may otherwise determine you are ineligible to 
receive an award. If reviews are happening concurrently, IES staff will 
consult with the other potential funder to determine the degree of 
overlap and which entity will provide funding if both applications are 
being considered for funding.
    Exemption from Proposed Rulemaking: Under section 191 of the 
Education Sciences Reform Act, 20 U.S.C. 9581, IES is not subject to 
section 437(d) of the General Education Provisions Act, 20 U.S.C. 
1232(d), and is therefore not required to offer interested parties the 
opportunity to comment on matters relating to grants.
    Program Authority: 20 U.S.C. 7294 for the Improving Gifted 
Education R&D Center; and 20 U.S.C. 9501, et seq., for the Using 
Generative Artificial Intelligence to Improve Instruction in 
Postsecondary Education R&D Center.

[[Page 104117]]

    Note: Projects will be awarded and must be operated in a manner 
consistent with the nondiscrimination requirements contained in Federal 
civil rights laws.
    Applicable Regulations: (a) The Education Department General 
Administrative Regulations in 34 CFR parts 77, 81, 82, 84, 86, 97, 98, 
and 99. In addition, the regulations in 34 CFR part 75 are applicable, 
except for the provisions in 34 CFR 75.100, 75.101(b), 75.102, 75.103, 
75.105, 75.200, 75.201, 75.209, 75.210, 75.211, 75.217(a)-(c), 75.219, 
75.220, 75.221, 75.222, and 75.230. (b) The Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and 
Suspension (Nonprocurement) in 2 CFR part 180, as adopted and amended 
as regulations of the Department in 2 CFR part 3485. (c) The Uniform 
Guidance in 2 CFR part 200, as adopted and amended as regulations of 
the Department in 2 CFR part 3474.
    Note: The regulations in 34 CFR part 86 apply to institutions of 
higher education only.
    Note: The open licensing requirement in 2 CFR 3474.20 does not 
apply to this competition.
    Note: As of October 1, 2024, grant applicants must follow the 
provisions in the OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance (89 FR 
30046, April 22, 2024) when preparing an application. For more 
information about these regulations please visit: https://www.cfo.gov/resources-coffa/uniform-guidance/.

II. Award Information

    Types of Awards: Cooperative agreements.
    Fiscal Information: Although Congress has not yet enacted an 
appropriation for FY 2025, IES is inviting applications for this 
competition now so that applicants can have adequate time to prepare 
their applications. The actual level of funding, if any, depends on 
final congressional action. IES may announce additional competitions 
later in FY 2025.
    The Improving Gifted Education R&D Center would be supported with 
funding authorized under the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented 
Students Education program. Although Congress has not yet enacted an 
appropriation for FY 2025, IES is inviting applications for this 
competition now so that applicants can have adequate time to prepare 
their applications should Congress appropriate funds for this program.
    The Using Generative Artificial Intelligence to Improve Instruction 
in Postsecondary Education R&D Center will be supported as part of the 
Accelerate, Transform, and Scale Initiative established by IES to 
invest in quick-turnaround high-reward, scalable solutions intended to 
improve education outcomes for all learners (https://ies.ed.gov/ats-initiative/).
    Estimated Range of Awards: The size of the awards will depend on 
the scope of the projects proposed. The estimated range of awards 
varies by topic:
     $5,000,000 (total) for Improving Gifted Education.
     $8,000,000 to $10,000,000 (total) for Using Generative 
Artificial Intelligence to Improve Instruction in Postsecondary 
Education.
    Maximum Award: The maximum award amount for each topic is set out 
in the NCER Request for Applications (RFA). On December 20, 2024, the 
Education R&D Center RFA will be posted at: https://ies.ed.gov/funding/25rfas.asp.
    For all IES competitions, applications must include budgets no 
higher than the relevant maximum award amount as set out in the 
relevant RFA. IES will not make an award exceeding the maximum award 
amount as set out in the relevant RFA.
    Estimated Number of Awards: IES intends to fund one award under the 
Improving Gifted Education topic and one award under the Using 
Generative Artificial Intelligence to Improve Instruction in 
Postsecondary Education topic. IES may consider making additional 
awards to high-quality applications under the Using Generative 
Artificial Intelligence to Improve Instruction in Postsecondary 
Education topic that remain unfunded after one award is made should 
resources permit. However, the number of awards made under each topic 
will depend on the quality of the applications received for that topic 
and the availability of funds.
    Note: The Department is not bound by any estimates in this notice.
    Project Period: The maximum project period is as follows:
     5 years for Improving Gifted Education.
     5 years for Using Generative Artificial Intelligence to 
Improve Instruction in Postsecondary Education.

III. Eligibility Information

    1. Eligible Applicants: For Improving Gifted Education, 
partnerships involving at least one institution of higher education and 
at least two State educational agencies with the ability and capacity 
to conduct rigorous research are eligible to apply. Partnerships may 
also include additional institutions of higher education, additional 
State educational agencies, local educational agencies, other public 
agencies, other private agencies and organizations, other research 
institutions, and non-profit and for-profit organizations.
    For Using Generative Artificial Intelligence to Improve Instruction 
in Postsecondary Education, entities that have the ability and capacity 
to conduct rigorous research are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants 
include, but are not limited to, non-profit and for-profit 
organizations and public and private agencies and institutions, such as 
colleges and universities.
    2. a. Cost Sharing or Matching: This competition does not require 
cost sharing or matching.
    b. Indirect Cost Rate Information: These programs use an 
unrestricted indirect cost rate. For more information regarding 
indirect costs, or to obtain a negotiated indirect cost rate, please 
see www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocfo/intro.html.
    3. Subgrantees: In accordance with 34 CFR 75.708(b) and (c), a 
grantee under this competition may award subgrants--to directly carry 
out project activities described in its application--to the following 
types of entities: nonprofit and for-profit organizations, public and 
private agencies and organizations, and institutions of higher 
education. The grantee may award subgrants to entities it has 
identified in an approved application.

IV. Application and Submission Information

    1. Application Submission Instructions: Applicants are required to 
follow the Common Instructions for Applicants to Department of 
Education Discretionary Grant Programs, published in the Federal 
Register on December 7, 2022 (87 FR 75045) and available at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/07/2022-26554/common-instructions-for-applicants-to-department-of-education-discretionary-grant-programs, which contain requirements and information on how to 
submit an application.
    2. Other Information: Information regarding program and application 
requirements for the competition can be found in the currently 
available IES Application Submission Guide (https://ies.ed.gov/funding/submission_guide.asp) and in the RFA, which will be available on 
[INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER], on the IES 
website at: https://ies.ed.gov/funding/. The application packages for 
this

[[Page 104118]]

competition will also be available on December 20, 2024.
    3. Content and Form of Application Submission: Requirements 
concerning the content of an application are contained in the RFA for 
the specific competition. The forms that must be submitted are in the 
application package for the specific competition.
    4. Submission Dates and Times: The deadline date for transmittal of 
applications is March 14, 2025.
    We do not consider an application that does not comply with the 
deadline requirements.
    5. Intergovernmental Review: This competition is not subject to 
Executive Order 12372 and the regulations in 34 CFR part 79.
    6. Funding Restrictions: We reference regulations outlining funding 
restrictions in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice.

V. Application Review Information

    1. Selection Criteria: For all of its grant competitions, IES uses 
selection criteria based on a peer review process that has been 
approved by the National Board for Education Sciences. The Peer Review 
Procedures for Grant Applications can be found on the IES website at: 
https://ies.ed.gov/director/sro/application_review.asp.
    For this competition (ALN 84.305C), peer reviewers will evaluate 
the significance of the focused program of research, the quality of the 
research plan for the focused program of research, the quality of the 
training plan, the quality of the plans for national leadership, 
capacity building, and outreach activities, the quality of the 
management and institutional resources, and the qualifications and 
experience of the personnel. These criteria are described in greater 
detail in the RFA.
    2. Review and Selection Process: We remind potential applicants 
that in reviewing applications in any discretionary grant competition, 
IES may consider, under 34 CFR 75.217(d)(3), the past performance of 
the applicant in carrying out a previous award, such as the applicant's 
use of funds, achievement of project objectives, compliance with the 
IES policy regarding public access to research, and compliance with 
grant conditions. IES may also consider whether the applicant failed to 
submit a timely performance report or submitted a report of 
unacceptable quality.
    In addition, in making a competitive grant award, IES requires 
various assurances, including those applicable to Federal civil rights 
laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving 
Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 
106.4, 108.8, and 110.23). Also, IES requires all key personnel on a 
grant award to have a persistent identifier, such as ORCID iD (Open 
Researcher and Contributor Identification; https://orcid.org/), in 
place before an award will be made.
    3. Risk Assessment and Specific Conditions: Consistent with 2 CFR 
200.206, before awarding grants under this competition, the Department 
conducts a review of the risks posed by applicants. Under 2 CFR 
200.208, IES may impose specific conditions and, under 2 CFR 3474.10, 
in appropriate circumstances, high-risk conditions on a grant if the 
applicant or grantee is not financially stable; has a history of 
unsatisfactory performance; has a financial or other management system 
that does not meet the standards in 2 CFR part 200, subpart D; has not 
fulfilled the conditions of a prior grant; or is otherwise not 
responsible.
    4. Integrity and Performance System: If you are selected under this 
competition to receive an award that over the course of the project 
period may exceed the simplified acquisition threshold (currently 
$250,000), under 2 CFR 200.206(a)(2) we must make a judgment about your 
integrity, business ethics, and record of performance under Federal 
awards--that is, the risk posed by you as an applicant--before we make 
an award. In doing so, we must consider any information about you that 
is in the integrity and performance system (currently referred to as 
the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System 
(FAPIIS)), accessible through the System for Award Management. You may 
review and comment on any information about yourself that a Federal 
agency previously entered and that is currently in FAPIIS.
    Please note that, if the total value of your currently active 
grants, cooperative agreements, and procurement contracts from the 
Federal Government exceeds $10,000,000, the reporting requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, appendix XII, require you to report certain integrity 
information to FAPIIS semiannually. Please review the requirements in 2 
CFR part 200, appendix XII, if this grant plus all the other Federal 
funds you receive exceed $10,000,000.

VI. Award Administration Information

    1. Award Notices: If your application is successful, we notify your 
U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators and send you a Grant Award 
Notification (GAN); or we may send you an email containing a link to 
access an electronic version of your GAN. We also may notify you 
informally.
    If your application is not evaluated or not selected for funding, 
we notify you.
    2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements: We identify 
administrative and national policy requirements in the application 
package and reference these and other requirements in the Applicable 
Regulations section of this notice.
    We reference the regulations outlining the terms and conditions of 
an award in the Applicable Regulations section of this notice and 
include these and other specific conditions in the GAN. The GAN also 
incorporates your approved application as part of your binding 
commitments under the grant.
    3. Grant Administration: Applicants should budget for an annual 
meeting of up to three days for project directors to be held in 
Washington, DC.
    4. Reporting: (a) If you apply for a grant under a competition 
announced in this notice, you must ensure that you have in place the 
necessary processes and systems to comply with the reporting 
requirements in 2 CFR part 170 should you receive funding under the 
competition. This does not apply if you have an exception under 2 CFR 
170.110(b).
    (b) At the end of your project period, you must submit a final 
performance report, including financial information, as directed by 
IES. If you receive a multiyear award, you must submit an annual 
performance report that provides the most current performance and 
financial expenditure information as directed by IES under 34 CFR 
75.118. IES may also require more frequent performance reports under 34 
CFR 75.720(c). For specific requirements on reporting, please go to 
www.ed.gov/fund/grant/apply/appforms/appforms.html.
    5. Performance Measures: To evaluate the overall success of its 
education research grant programs, IES annually assesses the percentage 
of projects that result in peer-reviewed publications and the number of 
IES-supported interventions with evidence of efficacy in improving 
learner education outcomes. School readiness outcomes include pre-
reading, reading, pre-writing, early mathematics, early science, and 
social-emotional skills that prepare young children for school. Student 
academic outcomes include learning and achievement in academic content 
areas, such as reading, writing, math, and science, as well as outcomes 
that reflect students' successful progression through the education 
system, such as course and grade completion; high school graduation; 
and

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postsecondary enrollment, progress, and completion. Social and 
behavioral competencies include social and emotional skills, attitudes, 
and behaviors that are important to academic and post-academic success. 
Employment and earnings outcomes include hours of employment, job 
stability, and wages and benefits, and may be measured in addition to 
student academic outcomes.
    6. Continuation Awards: In making a continuation award under 34 CFR 
75.253, IES considers, among other things: whether a grantee has made 
substantial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of the 
project; whether the grantee has expended funds in a manner that is 
consistent with its approved application and budget; whether a grantee 
is in compliance with the IES policy regarding public access to 
research; and if IES has established performance measurement 
requirements, whether the grantee has made substantial progress in 
achieving the performance targets in the grantee's approved 
application.
    In making a continuation award, IES also considers whether the 
grantee is operating in compliance with the assurances in its approved 
application, including those applicable to Federal civil rights laws 
that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities receiving 
Federal financial assistance from the Department (34 CFR 100.4, 104.5, 
106.4, 108.8, and 110.23).

VII. Other Information

    Accessible Format: On request to the program contact person listed 
in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, as well as in the relevant RFA and 
application package, individuals with disabilities can obtain this 
document and a copy of the RFA in an accessible format. The Department 
will provide the requestor with an accessible format that may include 
Rich Text Format (RTF) or text format (txt), a thumb drive, an MP3 
file, braille, large print, audiotape, compact disc, or other 
accessible format.
    Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this 
document is the document published in the Federal Register. You may 
access the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of 
Federal Regulations at www.govinfo.gov. At this site you can view this 
document, as well as all other Department documents published in the 
Federal Register, in text or Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF 
you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the 
site.
    You may also access Department documents published in the Federal 
Register by using the article search feature at 
www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search 
feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published 
by the Department.

Matthew Soldner,
Acting Director, Institute of Education Sciences.
[FR Doc. 2024-30435 Filed 12-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4000-01-P
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